Free agent recap: Is one category really that important?

We've beaten the topic of closers -- and potential closers -- nearly to death over the past few weeks, but they continue to be the object of aggressive bidding in many leagues.

Which raises a question ... do we really need to place such importance on a single category? Sure it's great to have the guy getting saves -- as David Robertson owners will attest -- but spending a significant chunk of your FAAB for someone who may not have the job next week is mind-boggling.

Maybe there are a few other nuggets we can glean as we track how the money was allocated in experts leagues this week.

NL-only leagues

After Carlos Marmol was demoted from the closer's role, Cubs reliever Rafael Dolis picked up a save and a win over the weekend. He was the most expensive player added in NL Tout Wars, going for $28 (reduced from $41) to Yahoo's Scott Pianowski.

(Props to ESPN's Eric Karabell, who acquired Dolis in LABR with a $3 bid in Week 2 -- one of the few things that have gone right for his injury-riddled team this season.) Another Cubs closer option, James Russell, went for $ in Tout but was unclaimed in LABR.

Brewers first baseman Travis Ishikawa ($24) and shortstop Cesar Izturis ($4) and Giants third baseman Conor Gillaspie ($13) were next in line in Tout Wars for their injury-replacement value. (Ishikawa was already owned, Izturis went for $5 and Gillaspie for just $2 in LABR).

The big-ticket guys in LABR were new Dodgers outfielder Bobby Abreu ($21) and Diamondbacks third baseman Cody Ransom ($17).

AL-only leagues

Injuries to new closer Scott Downs and setup man LaTroy Hawkins of the Angels unleashed a speculative avalanche for reliever Ernesto Frieri, who was acquired from the Padres a few days earlier. Frieri went for $23 in LABR and $16 in Tout Wars -- and was the most expensive player in both leagues.

A pair of Oakland A's are next in line, with outfielder Michael Taylor and first baseman Daric Barton both fetching $12 price tags in LABR. (Both were already on rosters in Tout Wars.) Rays call-up Will Rhymes was grabbed for $ 7 in both leagues.

Mixed leagues

Dolis ($33), Rafael Soriano ($27), Steve Cishek ($22), Frieri ($11) and Russell ($5) were five of the top six picks in LABR this week. Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager ($14) was the only non-reliever.

Soriano ($28), Dolis ($10), Frieri ($10) and Andrew Cashner of San Diego ($10) were the most expensive pickups in Tout Wars.

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About Steve Gardner

Steve's been with USA TODAY in one form or another since 1993. He started
at USATODAY.com in 1996, becoming the website's baseball editor in 1999, and
has written the fantasy baseball column for Sports Weekly since 2006. Follow
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